The CIA has joined Twitter with the best first tweet possible

The US government loves Twitter. For NASA, it’s a public relations goldmine. For the State Department, it’sÂ a bizarre weaponÂ in the fight on terrorism. For the CIA, it’s a chance to revel in kitsch. The agency, which somehow did not yet have a real social media presence, has just posted its first tweet.

The Twitter launch comes a few days after the CIAÂ opened a Facebook page, where it recently honored D-Day. The agency will post job listings, photos, trivia from the CIA World Factbook, and “reflections on intelligence history.” It’s part of what looks like a larger online overhaul, which will include event livestreaming.

The agency will also participateÂ in Throwback Thursday.

The CIA has mostly escaped ire during the Edward Snowden leaks, but social media is still a clear way for the agency to humanize itself, drawing attention to tweetsÂ instead of drones. That doesn’t mean organizations are immune from criticism online, though, and it should probably be carefulÂ about its hashtag campaigns. The Defense Department’s research wing, meanwhile, has responded with its own quip, linking to a call for “vanishing” electronics that destroy themselves.

Amnesty International is less amused. “The CIA’s first Tweet would be funny if it weren’t for the agency’s use of torture and extrajudicial executions,” says program director Zeke Johnson. “They should put as least as much effort into following the law as they do into social media. The full truth about the CIA torture and drone strikes should be made made public immediately and those responsible for crimes held accountable.” The agency is supposed to be close to declassifying a report on its “enhanced interrogation” program, with a release plannedÂ on or around July 4th.

.@CIA, if that was, in fact, your first tweet, welcome! If you change your mind later on, might we recommend http://t.co/DRtDPXjF8O

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